Applying for a German Immersion Foundation Grant

Our Mission Statement

The German Immersion Foundation supports the Milwaukee German Immersion School (MGIS) and the Milwaukee School of Languages (MSL) by providing the additional resources to fully fund programs needed to prepare children to excel in the competitive global marketplace.

Grant Information

Grant applications will be considered five times a year. The submission deadlines for grant consideration are September 1, November 1, January 1, March 1, and May 1. Grants submitted by these deadlines will be notified by the end of the month in which the deadline is met (i.e. grants submitted by 9/1 will be notified by 9/30).

• Grant applications must be submitted to the Grant Committee and a recommendation made before it can be presented to the Board for final consideration.

• In order to allow enough time for your Grant application to be properly considered, it should be completed and submitted to the Grant Committee at least one month prior to the proposed expenditure.

• If this is not possible, please contact the Grant Chairperson directly to discuss emergency Grant requests. An “emergency” is a circumstance that is unforeseen by the applicant which calls for immediate action by the German Immersion Foundation.

• All proposals must be discussed with the Principal of your school and be signed by the Principal prior to submitting it to the Foundation. While the Principal does not have to directly “approve” the grant to permit submission to the Grant Committee, their comments must be noted in the proposal.

Grant applications may be e-mailed directly to , emailed to the chairperson directly (identified below), or mailed to the Foundation at:

Attn: Grant Committee

German Immersion Foundation

PO Box 100670

Milwaukee WI 53210-0670

To coordinate payment & for submittal of receipts for reimbursement only:

Documents may be dropped off in the GIF basket in the MGIS office or mailed to the Foundation c/o Treasurer Scott Vogt.

The German Immersion Foundation, Inc. is not affiliated with either school or the Milwaukee Public Schools or the respective PTA or Governance Council of either school nor does it compete with these organizations. By being an independent corporation, the Foundation is unencumbered by any limits in raising or dispersing funds that will help our schools.

Grant Committee Members:

Stephen Bjork

Dave Sachs

Jascha Walter

Criteria for Grant Proposals

 The applicant must be a staff member of MGIS or MSL.

 The application describes a well-conceived educational plan along with cost estimates and timetable for implementation or activity;

 The project has the potential to be used in other classrooms, and/or other teachers will be able to use results of the project

 The project affects more than a few teachers, students or staff

 The project is targeted for an audience identified as lacking or in need

 The project will improve the quality of teaching or learning

 The project demonstrates a unique or innovative approach to meet an educational need

 The application form has been completed properly

Examples of what the Foundation may fund:

• Educational seminars and trips
• Technology that promotes improved instruction
• New and innovative learning experiences
• Visiting experts in the field of education, family, or literature
• Student sponsorship to immersion language events
• Language models, such as reading aides or interns
• A grant writer to apply for specific government or private grants

Examples what the Foundation will generally NOT fund:

• Structural improvements to the building
• Projects that are in conflict or inconsistent with District Curriculum
• Projects that should be funded through the building budget or district

Funding Responsibility

Disbursements of funds are made in the form of grants either directly to the person(s) applying for the grant, or by the District’s business office and reimbursed by the Foundation.

Upon approval of the Grant Request, the Board may include some additional requirements upon the Grant recipient. These may include but not be limited to:

• Submittal of receipts as proof of expenses, when appropriate
• An oral report to the Grant Committee or to the Board during the course of the grant or upon completion.
• Assignment of a Committee or Board member to work with the Grant recipient to implement the grant and/or to report the outcome.
• A site visit by a Grants Committee member.

All Grant recipients must provide a written statement as to the effectiveness and/or application of the supported program or project promptly upon the completion of the program or project. Failure of the Grant recipients to provide the aforementioned statement will result in the German Immersion Foundation denying all subsequent grant requests submitted by that Grant recipient until the written statement is provided as stated herein.

All grant requests for wage reimbursement must be submitted with supporting documentation from the applicable school budget or Milwaukee Public School Budget Preparation Guide.

Revised 11/1/2016

Grant Request Form

While specific use of this form is not required – it does include the minimum information required. If this form is not used, please follow the outline below and add rows as necessary to the form. Attach any supporting documents.

Grant Requester Information

Check which school(s) will benefit from the Grant:

MGIS _____

MSL ____

Proposal Description Include key features and how it will operate

ParticipantsIdentify students, staff members, parents or others whom your proposal is designed to benefit

Outcomes Describe the goal of the program/project. What impact do you expect to have & how will it be evaluated?

Program/Project CostBe specific as possible and clearly state the total amount requested from the Foundation

Timeline Describe the start and end of the project/program

Evaluation Process How will you report the results of this project/program back to the GIF Board?

Revised 11/1/2016